Venezuela-ON THE SOCIALIST COMMUNE

“The commune does not belong to Chavez, nor is it decreed by the government,
nor by the Mayor, nor by the Governor, nor by the Party” Hugo Chavez “Alo Presidente” Teorico No.1 June 11,2009

The micro-structure of organization and self-organized and autonomous economy constitutes the solid basis of socialism, created daily from below by the people who at the same time need to establish a community of togetherness, in which social, political and economic relations will be completely different from that what has been known up to now by humanity,
without discriminating against the individual.

It is consequently a pre-condition, but not the only, of the socialist revolution and its embrionic expression which in any moment will replace the system of existing things, constituting itself the socialist commune, starting from below towards above in a permanent process of renovation and of re-creation of society in general.

It must be inferred consequently (without falling into too much utopianism) which is the embryonic expression will cause the formation of new institutions, new forms of individuality, new responsibilities and new rights, both individual and collective characterized by their anti-capitalist and anti-hierarchical essence. In other words, revolutionary.

To speak of a socialist commune without the proposal to change structurally the existing order would be to embark in reformism, in spite of the speeches and the paraphernalia which sounds “socialist” and “revolutionary” when what is necessary is to impose a profound change and not superficial change of things, overthrowing the capitalist system and substituting it for something better. That means propelling a permanent subversive dynamic, without being satisfied with achievements obtained.

Besides this, the socialist commune should be an open space for participation and developing leadership, which would not permit bureaucratization or allowing it to be structured in an authoritarian and dictatorial manner kidnapped by a “revolutionary” minority, as they would have to function collectively, elevating the political and ideological consciousness of those who form part of it, reaching out to those who seem to be passive or indolent.

As Marta Harnecker says: “There are plans for communes which cover the territory of peoples power but have not been concerned with forming committees of workers with factories in their neighborhoods or bringing into committees peasants, miners or fishermen.Neither has there been concern to develop committees around a theme such as health committees, or education or sport committees. We need to give an impulse to all social sectors (boys, girls, adolescents) in a form of dynamic subversion so that the peoples’ hegemony will stop the domineering minorities who continue enjoying power as they always have had.”

At the same time we have to -in a creative way, develop a culture and community ethics in the community and the commune committees, in such a way that the proposal of a socialist commune has a real base and comes closer to daily life, traditions and expectations, reaching all forms of social life. Perhaps this is a practical definition of Socialism in the 21st Century, representing a revolution at the doors of capitalist society, with an impact on the diverse institutions that constitute the State, which sooner or later, whether we admit it or not, has to be transformed radically (if it is not possible to eliminate at the first stage) to benefit all citizens.